I've posted this on other forums but couldn't get any feeback. I'd love to here your thoughts!


Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to play a game with you. I have in my hand a can with no label. What's in the can isn't important. It's the can itself that I want you to pay attention to.


In particular, two parts of the can...the height of the can from top to bottom and the circumfrence. I've stuck this piece of ribbon around the can so you can see exactly what I mean by circumfrence.

Now, I'd like each of you to decide which is longer, the height or the circumfrence.

Raise your hand if you think the circumfrence is longer?

...and the height?

Those of you who said the height. What if I bet you this $20 bill that you are WRONG....the circumfrence is more the height. Would you take the bet?

Of course not! If there was any chance of the height being more then the circumfrence I wouldn't offer the bet!

But what if ADD to the height and place the can on top of this deck of cards. Would anyone consider the bet?

Probably not! But at some point, as I add decks of cards, the height will become greater the circumfrence. So I'll keep adding them until SOMEONE takes the bet.



At this point, I keep adding decks of card AND reducing the amount they have to bet until SOMEONE takes the bet.

The key is let the audience think that somebody will beat them to the punch and bet before them. Hence there is greater chance of getting the sucker.

[/i]
Thank you sir for your bravery. Would you mind joining me on the stage? Take the ribbon from around the can and hold it up against the height....I'm afraid you're not even close!

But I'll give you a chance to win your money back....if you can guess WHAT is in the can!

[/i]

From here I launch into Pineapple Suprise (a routine where a spectator correctly determines the contents of a labeless can.)


My thoughts at this point are

1) The ribbon helps make the definition of the circumfrence very clear.
2) By reducing the bet needed and allowing ANYONE to play to ANY time, I increase the chances of someone playing before the height is reached.
3) If I lose, I can give the man the cash (it is only fair) but then follow it up with a good routine. But any ideas for getting out paying would be great!
4) A pineapple tin is quite short and fat so I can stuck ALOT of decks of cards under it!
5) This can ONLY be done with a large audience. Close up or with less the 15 people you run the risk of people NOT betting.

I found this to work well when combining appearent tippiness with cockiness in order to get more money on the table. When I did this years ago at bars I would start with just the glass and then get cocky and add the cigs etc under the glass seemingly to get people to either pay more or drop out of the bet. This is a great bar betcha and too bad it is getting out to the unwashed masses.

I just started a thread talking about that very subject (the pyschology of betchas)

I should say that this is a betcha ROUTINE. Designed for performing on stage in front of a crowd, rather then at the bar.

I was thinking of performing this in a pub on Thursday night. (it's a freebie for a mate)

This betcha was shown in "The Real Hustle" (there's a link in another thread) and the setting was in a bar. Your routine is a good adaptation for a crowd setting where cans and tins are less likely to be seen out of place that in a bar (I don't know bars that sell cans of beer or pineapple either!) Furthermore in a bar it would be easier to bet a round of drinks rather that cash which simply wouldn't work in a crowd setting. Nice one I like it.